Clean your connections

[Rick G]

We all know that the multi plug connectors get corroded and dirty with age . QBS  has recommended  hand cleaning them , to restore  reliable operation . I did a few  on my bike , but it was very tedious  and I never got them all done.
Receintly  while working on a '80  Yamaha 850 triple , I ran into a problem, with many of the electrical systems on the bike  being intermittiant , or not working at all.
Not wanting to mess with all the connectors , I tried something new . I have used CLR, the product used to clean up plumbing fixtures, so i deceided to try it on the multi plugs. I dipped them in CLR for 20 to 30 seconds , then dipped them in water for 60 seconds or so, I finished up with a squirt of WD -40  . After plugging everything back in, all the systems worked fine! Turn signals , horn , lights, starter button, the works! This was  several weeks ago and its still fine .
There was a lot of crud in the bottom of the bowl , which was dislodged by this treatment.

[bikehandle]

rick
Great idea, I have used clr in old carb bowls to take the aluminum salts out and the crud left from old gas and water in them too. Just watch them closely.

[kiawrench]

tried this,, actually got my horn working again, full pitch , even after hand cleaning ,,, thanks for tip,,, oh it also works to brighten up castings and casings,,, (not chrome shiny , but nice and even )

[Coil Coyle]

This is an exellent tip for cleaning the electrical connectors that us newbies should see.

I used vasoline after they dried., WD40 evaporates.

coil

[ProfessorRex]

Use WD40 and Vaseline (or dielectric grease)

The point of WD40 is Water Displacement (formula 40).  Using WD40 will guaranty that the connectors are water free.

-Rex

[Coil Coyle]

Thanks  for the explanation, Rex. That would have speeded up the
reassembly.

coil